Watch with removable stem

ABSTRACT

A WATCH HAVING A WINDING STEM SUSCEPTIBLE OF TAKING UP THREE AXIAL POSITION AND A SETTING LEVER WHOSE ANGULAR POSITION IS CONTROLLED BY THE WINDING STEM. ON THE MOVEMENT OF THE WATCH IS MOUNTED A STATIONARY BLOCK HAVING AN INCLINED PLANE ADAPTED TO LIFT THE SETTING LEVER AND TO DISENGAGE ITS PING FROM THE GROOVE OF THE WINDING STEM WHEN THE SAID STEM IS IN ITS OUTWARD POSITION. IT IS THUS RENDERED POSSIBLE TO TAKE THE WINDING STEM OUT OF THE MOVEMENT OR TO INSERT IT AGAIN THEREINTO

Nov. 30, 1971 R s 3,623,315

WATCH WITH REMOVABLE STEM Filed Oct. 27, 1970 FHGJ e 5 7 INVENTOR MicHEL cHRis TE United States Patent 3,623,315 WATCH WITH REMOVABLE STEM Michel Christe, Bienne, Switzerland, assignor to Omega Louis Brandt & Frere S.A., Bienne, Bern, Switzerland Filed Oct. 27, 1970, Ser. No. 84,273

Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec. 6, 1969,

18,162/ 69 Int. Cl. G04b 27/02 US. Cl. 58-67 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A watch having a winding stem susceptible of taking up three axial positions and a setting lever whose angular position is controlled by the winding stem. On the movement of the watch is mounted a stationary block having an inclined plane adapted to lift the setting lever and to disengage its pin from the groove of the winding stem when the said stem is in its outward position. It is thus rendered possible to take the winding stem out of the movement or to insert it again thereinto.

The present invention relates to a watch.

In the socalled monocoque watches, i.e. watches the case of which consists of a combined caseband and bezel integral with the back, a two-piece winding stem is generally used, in order that the stem can be introduced and removed when the movement is in position within the watch-case. These devices are usually intricate and not reliable, in operation.

The invention aims at overcoming this drawback. It relates to a watch, having a winding stem which can take a first position or depressed position, for the winding operation, a second or intermediary position, for the setting operation, and a third position or position drawn toward the outside, and a setting lever controlled by the said winding stem. This watch is broadly characterized in that it comprises, mounted on the framework, a stationary block presenting an inclined plane adapted to lift the setting lever and to take its pin out of the groove of the winding stem when the said stem is in the said third position, so as to permit pulling the winding stem out of the movement or inserting it thereinto.

The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example, an embodiment of the watch according to the invention. There is represented in the drawing only what is necessary for an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the said embodiment.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are elevational views thereof, partially in section, showing the winding stem in three different positions.

The watch illustrated in the drawing comprises a winding stem 1 and a setting lever 2 pivoting on a stud 3 secured to the pillar plate. The stud 3 is rather long, so that the setting lever 2 can move axially to a certain extent along the this stud. A pin 4 carried by the setting lever or integral therewith is normally engaged, as usually, in a groove 5 of the winding stem 1. This groove 5 is bounded or limited, on the one hand, by a wall 6 belonging to the stem portion that is situated on the side of the winding crown (not illustrated) and, on the other hand, by a collar 7 the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than that of the said stem portion.

On the pillar plate, in the close vicinity of the winding stem 1, is arranged a stationary block 8 presenting a plane top surface 9 and an inclined plane 10.

As usual, the setting lever 2 carries, at its end remote from the pin 4, a pin 11 adapted to cooperate with several notches 12, 13 and 14 of a setting lever spring 15.

The winding stem 1 may take up three distinct axial positions. When it is in its first position or inward position, it serves for effecting the winding of the watch. The pieces are in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pin 11 of the settling lever 2 engages the notch 12 of the setting lever spring 15, and the portion of the setting lever lying between the stud 3 and the pin 4 is situated at a certain distance of the block 8.

If the stem 1 is pulled outwards, it arrives in the second or intermediary position, serving for the setting operation. The pin 11 of the setting lever 2 now engages the notch 13 of the setting lever 15, and the portion of the setting lever 2 lying between the stud 3 and the pin 4 has come into contact with the inclined plane 10 of the block 8 (see FIG. 3).

If the stem 1 is further pulled outwards, it arrives in the third or pulled-out position, in which the pin 11 of the setting lever 2 engages the notch 14 of the setting lever spring 15. The portion of the setting lever 2 lying between the stud 3 and the pin 4 has meanwhile climbed on the inclined plane 10 of the block 8 and now rests on the top plane surface 9 of the latter, as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the pin 4 of the setting lever 2 has left the groove 5. The axial displacement of the setting lever 2 is large enough so that the pin 4 is no longer retained by the collar 7; therefore, it is now possible to take the stem 1 out of the movement.

When the winding stem 1 is again inserted into the movement, the wall 6 encounters the pin 4 of the setting lever 2 and can, therefore, again actuate the setting lever 2 and bring it into the already described setting and wind ing positions. As soon as either one of these positions is reached, the stem 1 is held in the movement by the collar 7.

When the stem 1 is returned from the third position into the second position, the setting lever 2 falls again into its normal position by gliding along the inclined plane 10 of the block 8, under the action of a small spring, not illustrated, bearing upon the top face of the setting lever 2.

In order to avoid an undesired traction of the stem 1 into the third position, and therefore an accidental loss of the stem, it is advantageous to provide a passage between the second and third positions which is harder than between the first and second positions. That is why the tooth 16 separating the notches 13 and 14 of the setting lever spring 15 is longer than the tooth 17 separating the notches 12 and 13 of the same spring.

What is claimed is:

1. A watch, having a winding stern which can take up a first position or inward position for the winding operation, a second or intermediary position for the setting operation, and a third or outward position, and a setting lever controlled by the said winding stem, by a setting lever pin in a circumferential groove in the winding stem, a stationary block mounted on the framework of the movement presenting an inclined plane adapted to separate the setting lever from the winding stem to remove said setting lever pin out of the groove when the said stem is in the said third position, so as to permit pulling the winding stem out of the movement or inserting it thereinto.

2. A watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove of the winding stem is limited, on the one hand, by a wall belonging to the stem portion which is situated on the side of the winding crown and, on the other hand,

3 4 by a collar the diameter of which is smaller than that of References Cited the said stern portion.

3. A Watch according to claim 1, characterized by a UNITED STATES PATENTS spring bearing on the setting lever in order to cause its 1,3784% 5/ 1921 Ffellnd 5863 return motion. ,390 1/ 1948 Burgbacher 5868 4. A watch according to claim 3, characterized in that 5 2,786,327 3/ 1957 V011 Aesch 7 the setting lever spring is designed so as to render the passage between the second and third positions harder than RICHARD WILKINSON Primary Exammer that between the first and second positions. G. H, MILLER, JR., Assistant Examiner 

